Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, raised concerns over location of the Apapa and Tin Can Ports, even as it explained the reasons for the persistent gridlock within the axis inspite of strategies adopted by the government to address issue.

Meanwhile, Ambode has explained reasons the State Government consented to Federal Government plan to demolish Jibowu and Costain Bridges, saying, the demolition was for the good of resudents.

Gridlock as tankers shut down Apapa road

Ambode made the remarks during a courtesy visit by French delegation as well as the 11th Town Hall meeting on Security, themed,” Improving security through technology, intelligence and community participation in Lagos state,” held at the State House, Alausa, Secretariat, Ikeja.

The governor stated that aside the location of the Ports which does not suit the cosmopolitan status of the state; he noted that the port was not designed for the haulage it was presently encountering.

“The injury on infrastructure that has been caused by that port is what you see in the city centre. And technically, you do not need to have port in the center of a city. It kills the infrastructures.

“That was not the original design and one can see the negative impact it is having on roads in the state. The issue is that it leads to the need for logistics and transportation within that axis of the state.

“The design and concept of the Apapa Port cannot actually accommodate the volume of the business the country is currently running. It is not possible to have just one seaport in a commercial capital like Lagos.

“Smaller ships are coming into the ports because of the shallow state of the port. It cannot actually receive big ships. So the turnaround is just too much,” he added.

He stressed that with deeper seaport, the ports would experience lesser ships and lesser integrations, noting, the idea was the reason behind Lekki and Badagry Ports.

The governor stated that both ports, located in boundary communities, would be used to transport goods or containers, rather than having containerized trucks plying the main streets in the state.

He continued, “To solve the challenge, that was why the Federal and Lagos state have decided to join forces and see to the idea to disperse cargoes from the other two ports.”

Explains why Lagos accepted Jibowu, Costain bridges demolition

On demolition of major bridges, Ambode adduced reasons why his administration agreed with Federal Government to demolish two major bridges in the state.

“You must have read in newspapers today (yesterday) that two bridges in Lagos would be demolished. They are the Jibowu and Costain bridges which will give way for the laying of tracks of a Lagos-Ibadan rail project”.

Ambode said the demolition would give room for a rail tract that will stretch from the old

“Fela Shrine” and land at the West African Examination Council, WAEC end of the area in such a way that no vehicle crosses the rail track”.

He said the demolition of the Costain Bridge, will also pave way for the rail, project which he enthused will increase the economy of the state.

While promising that traffic would be well managed during the project, Ambode appealed to rrsidents to bear with the situation.

“No doubt, a bit of not too much discomfort, but it will increase the economy of Lagos”, the governor said.

..urges firms to install CCTV

Apparently not satisfied with the standard of security in the state, the governor appealed to business outfits in the state to install Closed-Circuit Television, CCTV,

“Please install CCTV cameras in your various organizations to help expand the reach of Law enforcement agents in the event of any security breach.”

Commissions JJT Recreational Park

Ambode also, officially unveiled an ultra modern recreational park in Alausa, Ikeja, in honour of three former Governors of the State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson Rtd, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ambode, who spoke at a ceremony to unveil the park known as Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu Park (JJT Park) and located in front of the State House of Assembly and a few metres away from Lagos House, said it was part of efforts by his administration to immortalise heroes who worked hard for the emergence of Lagos as not only the Centre of Excellence, but also one of the most prominent City States in Africa.

He said the three former Governors were outstanding in their contributions to the development of the State and wrote their names in the sands of time, especially during their time in office.

Ambode said: “One of the hallmarks of any progressive society is to always recognise and reward the efforts of heroes who contribute to the growth of that society. In the case of Lagos State, we have so many heroes who toiled and laid a solid foundation for the Lagos we enjoy today.

“Today, we are here to celebrate and honour three past governors of our dear state who were outstanding in their contributions to the development of Lagos Sate. These eminent Lagosians are some of the very few brave men that stood to be counted on the side of justice and even by their performances while in office have written their name in gold for future generations.”

..Police arrests 299 armed robbers in 10 months

While addressing stakeholders at the town hall meeting, Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, disclosed that no fewer than 299 armed robbers were arrested while 38 others including six policemen died during encounters in the state.

“231 vehicles were recovered during the period with 21 armed robbery attempts were foiled within the period under review,” the commissioner added.